The Girls Circle model is a specific format designed to help girls and young women build resiliency and develop caring relationships that counteract harmful social forces.
It is applied to programs in areas including education, peer leadership, health, juvenile justice, athletics, school advisory groups, pregnancy prevention, after-school programs, scouting, gang-prevention and substance abuse prevention in settings such as schools, agencies, group homes, clinics, and more.
Each year, The Fund for Women and Girls sponsors the Girls Circle Training for individuals who work closely with girls. In this “train the trainer” training, facilitators learn to lead girls through a format that includes each girl taking turns talking and listening to one another respectfully about their concerns and interests.
Participants become facilitators of the Girls Circle model, and then run structured weekly support groups for girls and young women ages 9 to 18.
Why it works
When girls voice their ideas and opinions in a safe environment, it strengthens their confidence and self-esteem, encourages them to express themselves more fully, and critically think through their behavior and choices.
Impact
To date, we have provided training to nearly 100 direct service providers, law enforcement agencies, therapists, and others who have in turn helped hundreds of girls express themselves in safe space and at their own pace.
